THE SONG OF THE STEADFAST–PSALM 11:1-7

Art Davison PSALM 0 Comment
PSALM 11:1-7THE SONG OF THE STEADFAST–PSALM 11:1-7
Introduction:
In this psalm David is tempted to flee from the persecution of King Saul. His life was in danger and the temptation to run from danger challenged his confidence in God.
“The psalm’s message is as follows: faced with the temptation to flee at a time when lawful authority was being destroyed, the psalmist held fast to his faith in the Lord, who will ultimately destroy the wicked whom He hates and deliver the righteous whom He loves.” —The Bible Knowledge Commentary.
I.   DAVID IS TEMPTED TO FLEE FROM PERSECUTION
A. The righteous soul is vexed by the ungodly deeds of the lost, 2 Peter 2:7-8, “And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: 8-(For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds.”
B. My trust is in the Lord, v. 1; Psalm 7:1, “O LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me:”
1. The Lord has never forsaken His people, Psalms 9:10, “And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.”
2. Let me not be ashamed before my enemies, Psalms 25:2, “O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.”
C. How can my enemies say to me to flee like a bird?
1. They said the same to the Lord, Luke 13:31, “The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee.”
2. David often pictured himself as a bird:
a. David in prosperity, when commanding was like an EAGLE, Isaiah 40:31, “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”
b. In adversity, when despised, like an OWL, Psalm 102:6, “I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert.”
c. In devotion, when retired, like a PELICAN, Psalm 102:6, “I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert.”
d. In solitariness, when having no company, (of Saul), like a PARTRIDGE, 1 Samuel 26:20, “Now therefore, let not my blood fall to the earth before the face of the LORD: for the king of Israel is come out to seek a flea, as when one doth hunt a partridge in the mountains.”
3. My enemies make themselves ready in private, v. 2; Psalms 37:14, “The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation.”
D. The foundations had been destroyed, v. 3:
1. Saul had destroyed the justice system of his day, Psalms 82:5, “They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course.”
2. David was “The restorer of paths to dwell in,” Isaiah 58:12, “And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.”
II. DAVID DEMONSTRATES HIS FAITH IN THE LORD
A. David declare the source of his unflinching courage, v. 4; Psalms 18:6, ‘In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.”
B. God tries or refines the righteous, v. 5; Psalms 17:3, “Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.”
1. God exercises the righteous by afflictions, Zechariah 13:9, “And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.”
2. Blessed is the man that endures trials, James 1:12, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation [takes trials patiently]: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”
C. The wicked have only judgment to look forward to, vv. 5-6;
1. God hates and punishes sin, Isaiah 24:17, “Fear, and the pit, and the snare, are upon thee, O inhabitant of the earth.”
2. God cannot stand sin in His presence, Habakkuk 1:13, “Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he?”
D. The overwhelming reason why we should be steadfast, v. 7; Psalms 5:12, “For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.”
1. He blesses us with His presence in our lives, Psalms 33:18, “Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;”
2. His ears are open to our prayers, 1 Peter 3:12, “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.”
3. He forgives all of our sins, Psalms 25:18, “Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins.”
CONCLUSION:
This is truly the song of Steadfastness. David was encouraged by the Lord during his difficult trials and remains steadfast. We have the same encouragement from the Word of God to remain firm in our convictions and trust the Lord in difficult times. After all the difficult time are merely exercises in faithfulness for us.

GOD IS NOT IN MAN’S THOUGHTS–PSALM 10:1-11

Art Davison PSALM 0 Comment
GOD IS NOT IN MAN’S THOUGHTS–PSALM 10:1-11

Key verse: v. 4, “The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.”

Introduction:

This psalm doesn’t seem to have a title and is considered by some to be a part of the ninth psalm. “The prevailing theme seems to be the oppression and persecution of the wicked, we will, therefore, for our own guidance, entitle it, THE CRY OF THE OPPRESSED.” —Spurgeon.

At times the Lord appears to be far off instead of “a very present help in trouble.” The presence of God is the joy of his people, but any suspicion of his absence is distracting beyond measure. However, the Lord is never far off from the furnace when his children are being refined. Consider the following thoughts:

I. THE CHARACTER OF THE OPPRESSER

A. He oppresses in his pride, v. 2; Psalms 73:6, “Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.”

1. The charge of pride, Psalms 31:18, “Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.”

2. The charge of tyranny, Psalms 140:5, “The proud have hid a snare for me, and cords; they have spread a net by the wayside; they have set gins for me.”

B. He is a covetous individual, v. 3; Ephesians 5:5, “For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.”

1. They trust in their wealth, Psalms 49:6, “They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;”

2. They speak loftily or arrogantly, Psalms 73:8,9 “They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily. 9- They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.”

3. They are boastful, Psalms 94:4, “How long shall they utter and speak hard things? and all the workers of iniquity boast themselves?”

II. THE HARDNESS OF THE HEART OF UNBELIEF

A. He will not seek God, v. 4; Isaiah 55:6, “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:”

1. The Lord has not spoken in secret, Isaiah 45:19, “I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain: I the LORD speak righteousness, I declare things that are right.”

2. The Lord’s righteousness is not far off, Isaiah 46:13, “I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory.”

B. His ways are grievous and painful, v. 5; Hosea 9:9, “They have deeply corrupted themselves, as in the days of Gibeah: therefore he will remember their iniquity, he will visit their sins.”

1. God gives the sinner travail or work, Ecclesiastes 2:26, “For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit.”

2. He walks in the ways of darkness, Proverbs 2:13, 15, “Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness; 15- Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths:”

C. God’s judgments or laws are far above his sight, and finds no place in his life, v. 5; Psalm 92:5-6, “O LORD, how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep. 6- A brutish man knoweth not; neither doth a fool understand this.”

1. They regard not the work of the Lord, Isaiah 5:12, “And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the LORD, neither consider the operation of his hands.”

2. They have made a covenant with death and hell, Isaiah 28:15, “Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves:”

D. Man has refused to consider what God has done to bring him to salvation, vv. 6-11; Isaiah 42:25, “Therefore he hath poured upon him the fury of his anger, and the strength of battle: and it hath set him on fire round about, yet he knew not; and it burned him, yet he laid it not to heart.”

1. Man continues to be perverse, Psalms 5:9, “For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue.”

2. He deceives with his mouth, Psalms 36:3, “The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wise, and to do good.”

3. Wickedness is sweet in his mouth, Job 20:12, “Though wickedness be sweet in his mouth, though he hide it under his tongue;”

4. Even the religious were evil in the Lord’s day as in our day, Matthew 12:34, “O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.”

E. Man deceives himself regarding God’s judgment, v. 11; Ecclesiastes 8:11, “Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.”

1. They say, “the Lord has forsaken the earth,” Ezekiel 8:12, “Then said he unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen what the ancients of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the chambers of his imagery? for they say, The LORD seeth us not; the LORD hath forsaken the earth.”

2. Our land is full of blood and the city is full of perverseness, Ezekiel 9:9, “Then said he unto me, The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceeding great, and the land is full of blood, and the city full of perverseness: for they say, The LORD hath forsaken the earth, and the LORD seeth not.”

CONCLUSION:

God is well aware of what is happening around His people and will bring judgment in His own time. He is aware of the persecution and difficulties of His people. Yet He continues to offer salvation to those who will trust Him as Savior.

MAN, GOD’S PRIMARY WORK–PSALM 8:3-9

Art Davison PSALM 0 Comment
MAN, GOD’S PRIMARY WORK
PSALM 8:3-9

Psalm 144:3, “LORD, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him! or the son of man, that thou makest account of him!”

Introduction:

The Bible tells us about man in Hebrews 2:7, “Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:”

Man is insignificant in the scope of the universe, yet God cares for him immensely. It amazed David that the Lord of the universe even thinks about man. Even the Hebrew word rendered “man” expresses the frailty of man rather than any strength or power that he possesses.

I. THE PERFECT MAN FALLS

A. Man was created in the image of God, Genesis 1:26-27, And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 27- So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”

1. Man was made upright, Ecclesiastes 7:29, “Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.”

2. God gave man dominion over the entire earth, Genesis 1:28, “And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.”

3. God gave man one law to regulate his activity, Genesis 2:16-17, And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 17- But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.”

B. Man disobeys God, Genesis 3:6, “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.”

1. Man became wicked, Genesis 6:5, “And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”

2. Man is wicked from his youth, Genesis 8:21, “And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake; for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.”

3. How can a man be just before God? Job 9:2, “I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God?”

a. Can he contend with God? Job 9:3-4, If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand. 4-He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened himself against him, and hath prospered?”

b. Can I justify myself? Job 9:20, “If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse.”

c. Can I wash myself in snow? Job 9:29-31, “If I be wicked, why then labour I in vain? 30- If I wash myself with snow water, and make my hands never so clean; 31- Yet shalt thou plunge me in the ditch, and mine own clothes shall abhor me.”

II. THE SECOND PERFECT MAN GIVES HIS LIFE

A. Jesus Christ is the last Adam, 1 Corinthians 15:45-47, And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. 46- Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. 47- The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.”

1. The first Adam.

a. Made a living soul, Genesis 2: 7, “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.”

b. The first Adam was a natural man, Ephesians 4:22, “That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;”

c. The first Adam was of the earth, earthy, John 3:13, 31, “And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. 31-He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.”

2. The Last Adam.

a. He was made a quickening spirit, John 5:21, 25-26, “For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. 26- For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;”

b. The Last Adam is spiritual, the Lord from heaven, Isaiah 9:6, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

III. THOSE MEN WHO WOULD BE PERFECT

A. Without holiness no man shall see God, Hebrews 12:14, “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:”

1. God has called us unto holiness, 1 Thessalonians 4:7, “For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.”

2. Because God is holy, 1 Peter 1:15-16, “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16- Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”

3. No unclean person will enter into His presence, Ephesians 5:5, For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.”

B. They must receive Jesus Christ as Savior, John 1:12-13, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13- Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

CONCLUSION

Jesus says, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28.

I WILL PRAISE THEE WITH MY WHOLE HEART–PSALM 9:1-10

Art Davison PSALM 0 Comment
I WILL PRAISE THEE WITH MY WHOLE HEART
PSALM 9:1-10

Introduction:

David with a sincere, and affectionate, and united heart, declares his praise for the Lord. Compare Song of Solomon 1:4, “Draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee.”

Then compare Revelation 19:7, “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.”

Now compare these with the first verse of this Psalm, “I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.”

I. I WILL PRAISE THEE, O LORD

A. With my whole heart, v. 1; Psalms 111:1, “Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.”

1. We are blessed of God when we seek Him with our whole heart, Psalms 119:2, “Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.”

2. The man that seeks the Lord with his whole heart has a dedicated heart, Psalms 119:10, “With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.”

B. The true praise of telling others about God’s dealings with us, Psalms 34:1, “I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.”

1. Our boast is in the Lord, Psalms 34:2, “My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.”

2. David invites us to magnify the Lord with him, Psalms 34:3, “O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.”

II. GRATITUDE FOR ONE MERCY REFRESHES THE MEMORY AS TO THOUSANDS OF OTHERS

A. Gladness and joy are the appropriate spirit in which to praise, v. 2; Isaiah 51:11, “Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.”

1. God loves a cheerful giver, 2 Corinthians 9:7, “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”

a. Whether it be the gold of his purse, 2 Corinthians 8:12, “For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.”

b. Or the gold of his mouth which he presents to the Lord in the form of praise, Psalm 28:7, “The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.”

B. Happy is the man who has the Lord, Psalms 146:5, “Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God:”

III. GOD’S PRESENCE IS SUFFICIENT

A. To work the defeat of our most furious foes, v. 3; Psalms 68:1, “Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him.

1. They shall fall and perish, Psalms 80:16, “It is burned with fire, it is cut down: they perish at the rebuke of thy countenance.”

2. “If we seek to maintain the cause and honour of our Lord we may suffer reproach and misrepresentation, but it is a rich comfort to remember that he who sits on the throne knows our hearts, and will not leave us to the ignorant and ungenerous judgment of erring man.”

B. “God and my right,” are united by my faith, v. 4; Psalms 140:12, “I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor.”

C. God rebukes before he destroys, but when he once comes to blows with the wicked, vv. 5-6; Psalms 2:9, “Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”

IV. THE LORD ENDURES vv. 7-10

A. In the light of the past the future is not doubtful, Psalms 90:2, “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.”

B. The Lord is unchanging, Hebrews 1:12, “And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.”

C. The Lord will judge His people, Psalms 50:4, “He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people.”

1. He is a refuge for the oppressed, Psalms 32:7, “Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance.”

2. He delivers those who put their trust in Him, Psalms 91:14, “Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.”

CONCLUSION

OFFER THE SACRIFICES OF RIGHTEOUSNESS–PSALM 3

Art Davison PSALM 0 Comment
OFFER THE SACRIFICES OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
PSALM 3

Introduction:

The third Psalm is known as the “Morning Psalm.” This Psalm can be called the “Evening Psalm,” v. 8, “I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.”

David knew from where he would receive strength to carry on before the Lord. He knew that he had many enemies, but his God was able to supply every need in order to do God’s will.
I. DAVID PLEADS WITH GOD FOR HELP

v. 1, “Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.”

A. David’s habit of pleading from past mercies for present favors, Psalms 57:1, “Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.”
1. David knew where his blessings are from, Psalms 24:5, “He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.”
2. David knew that RIGHTEOUSNESS was by faith in the Messiah, 1 Corinthians 1:30, “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:”
B. David was in the habit of praying daily to the Lord, Psalms 86:3, “Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily.”
1. David knew the Grace of God in his life, Isaiah 45:24, “Surely, shall one say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed.”
2. David sought the mercies of God, Psalm 119:75-77, 132, “I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right , and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me. 76- Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant . 77- Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight. 132-Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.”
II. DAVID REASONS WITH HIS ENEMIES FOR THEIR PERSECUTION OF HIM
v. 2, O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing?
A. David in the field of conflict had the undaunted courage of Moses the man of God, Exodus 10:3, “And Moses and Aaron came in unto Pharaoh, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself before me? let my people go, that they may serve me.”
B. David chides foolish men as though they were children, Proverbs 1:22, “How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?”
1. Man refuses to humble himself before God as they did in Moses day, Exodus 10:3, “And Moses and Aaron came in unto Pharaoh, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself before me? let my people go, that they may serve me.”
2. Today our young men are void of understanding, Proverbs 7:7, “And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths , a young man void of understanding,”
a. The Lord invites men to come and learn, Matthew 11:29-30, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls . 30- For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
b. But they will not come to the Lord, Matthew 23:37, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!”
III. HE REMINDS THEM THAT THE LORD HAS SET APART SOME, vv. 3-5
A. David was in the care of the Lord, v. 3.
1. He and the Lord’s people were a separated people, Exodus 33:16, “For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight ? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth.”
2. David knew that God watched over them, Psalm 34:15. “The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.”
B. “Tremble and sin not” was David’s thought here, Proverbs 16:6, “By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.
C. David examined his own heart in the quiet of the evening, 2 Corinthians 13:5, “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
1. David demonstrated that he was in the faith, 1 Corinthians 16:13, “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.”
2. Like Paul David did not want to shame his Savior, 1 Corinthians 9:27, “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway”
IV. DAVID DELIGHTFULLY CONTRASTS HIS OWN SATISFACTION AND SAFETY WITH THE RESTLESSNESS OF THE UNGODLY, vv. 6-8
A. The sinner is restless, Psalm 4:6, “There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.”
B. David was at peace with his Lord, vv. 7-8.
1. David did not set up the night for fear, Psalms 3:5, “I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.”
2. “Lord, only you make me dwell in peace, Proverbs 3:24, When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
CONCLUSION
David was a man that knew the Lord and had put his complete trust in the Lord for every protection.